Tag: Music

Except for a few loose ends (like announcing the winner) that are in others’ hands, SpinTunes 5 is pretty much done, at least for me as a judge. It’s been interesting, challenging and worthwhile. Thanks to Spin for inviting me.…

Spin+judges didn’t get to fully talk through the mini-opera challenge before it was posted. I don’t blame anyone. We’re all busy people. But I’m concerned that the challenge post as it stands may mislead some entrants. I speak for nobody…

After my first SpinTunes competition last year, I posted a lot about both my experiences going through SpinTunes and my thoughts on songwriting contests in general. This year, I knew better what to expect and so didn’t have as many…

Edric Haleen, one of the participants in the first SpinTunes songwriting contest, decided to create a project to tide people over during the wait between SpinTunes 1 and SpinTunes 2. A number of participants from SpinTunes 1 and other past…

In addition to some valuable learning about my songwriting and how to participate more effectively in songwriting contests, my SpinTunes experience led me to some general thoughts on how songwriting contests are — and could be — run. SpinTown and…

My participation in the SpinTunes songwriting contest has come to an end. It was a valuable experience. I learned a lot and had many thoughts and insights along the way, and I met a bunch of great people, my fellow…

At long last, finally, Potluck Creative Arts has a proper home on the web! http://potluckcreativearts.com Along with the site comes a number of new and unique music, arts and creativity services offered by Mark S. Meritt. Many involve opportunities for…

Here’s me playing the song Xanadu on the piano, and starting with the second verse I start messing with the musical style a bunch. According to the website for the Broadway musical, Xanadu means “to express oneself through the arts…

As I’ve begun to have a go at making a living as a musician and artist, I’ve thought at times about how difficult it seems for people who try this. So many struggling artists, starving artists, nobodies trying to become…

The Jazz Singer – 25th Anniversary Edition Written by Stephen H. Foreman and Herbert Baker; Based on the play by Samson Raphaelson; Based on the short story The Day of Atonement by Samson Raphaelson; Directed by Richard Fleischer